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Important Note about the Wildlife Center's Holiday Appeal
and our 2020 Christmas Card
This year, the Wildlife Center's Holiday Appeal and
2020 Christmas Card are one in the same.
The Remittance Envelope may or may
not be INSIDE THE CARD as is customary....
it may be in the bottom of the card's envelope, so please be
sure to look inside the envelope.
This is our annual and year- end Holiday Appeal.
We are not funded by our state or federal regulating agencies
and we always need donations - YOU are the key to our success since 1988.
Your gifts are always needed and appreciated
and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
THANK YOU! Carol Lee, Founder, SPWRC, Inc.
Our Opossum Celebrity will be featured in the
December 14th 2020 Issue of People Magazine!
Our little opossum is making quite a name for herself (although her name will be announced next week I'm told)!
In addition to her initial appearance in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (see article below), she has been featured on our local KLBK and KMAC News programs (11/17/2020) and previously on the Today show on NBC, a Fox affiliate, the November 2020 Southern Living magazine , The Dodo, a Pittsburgh news article and even across the pond at
the LADbible, a London concern!
Outfits (and donations) are sincerely appreciated in her behalf,
and she now weighs almost 600 Grams!
The basis for the article below appeared in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and
was written by Mitchell Willetts, October 22, 2020:
A Texas Wildlife Center rescued a common animal in a rare predicament earlier this week.“This is a first for us,” South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lubbock said Wednesday, posting a photo of a tiny, mostly hairless opossum. The Center estimates the opossum, which weighs less than 1/3 of a pound, is between 3-4 months old. “She would never survive in the wild,” the Center said, adding, “The opossum will need a winter wardrobe.” Volunteers were quick to raise their hands, offering to knit sweaters, crochet tiny coats, or donate unused pet clothing.
“What are the measurements for her waist, around her shoulders/neck, and from her shoulders to her butt?” one commenter asked. “I can knit her some shirts and dresses.” Her waist, 4 inches, shoulder and neck, 3 inches, neck to butt, 4.5 inches. “I’m not really sure how it survived,” Gail Barnes, Executive Director of SPWRC, told McClatchy News. “By the time a Good Samaritan found the animal and dropped it off at the Center, it was in bad shape. “It was really hypothermic, so we warmed it up in the incubator,” Barnes said.
Since arriving, it’s been eating better than most opossums ever will. “Today, it had crickets, yogurt, cottage cheese, baby food, soft cat chow, and small pieces of beef heart,” Barnes said. “But it really went for the crickets and the yogurt!”
It’s likely the opossum’s lack of fur is a result of alopecia, she said. The auto-immune disease that causes hair loss in people is found in the animal kingdom as well. As a result, Barnes said, “I don’t think this opossum can ever be released.” Still, the marsupial isn’t completely hairless, and Barnes hopes that with time and proper care, they can not only improve its overall health, but promote more fur growth. “She does have a little peach fuzz on parts of the body, so we’re going to feed her a very good diet and bring some of that out - She’ll be in rehabilitation for quite a while.” For those interested in donating to the naked opossum's wardrobe, or in helping fund her care, our contact information is here on our website. (Some edits to the original article made by Carol Lee).
Important Message from Founder, Carol Lee:
Some of the information on this page / web site refers to our policies, programs and activities prior to the Coronavirus Pandemic. We hope this will pass eventually, so rather than re-write the entire page, please keep in mind that things are different right now and for the short term at least.
Call us at 806 799-2142 if you have questions
Important Message from Director Gail Barnes:
In response to
the Coronavirus concerns, SPWRC has implemented procedures for protecting our
staff, volunteers, interns, and the public. These changes are being put in
place in keeping with the social distancing orders.
Our Animal Drop-off Building is still open 24 hours a day,
but we ask that you complete the paperwork inside and leave the wildlife you rescued in one of the cages.
*We will not come out to the building until after you leave the premises.
Our hours to the public have been adjusted as follows: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
Thank you
for your patience and cooperation during this difficult time.
Please call 799-2142 if you have any questions.
The Wildlife Center admitted a Flammulated Owl recently.
This photo is of a Flammulated Owl admitted to SPWRC in November, 2000.
The owl in our care at present is expected to recover completely and will be released.
Highly migratory, the Flammulated Owl a very small owl with dark eyes and short ear tufts.
Its diet is primarily insects.
You can read much more about this diminutive member of the owl species on the web!
South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Inc. is an IRS determined 501 (c) 3 non-profit facility that cares for orphaned, injured, ill and displaced wild animals with the ultimate goal of returning wildlife back to its natural habitat whenever possible.
Busy "Baby Season" is likely to begin in March or April. If our winter continues to be mild, doves and squirrels will be starting families, soon followed by songbirds like Blue Jays, Robins and Mockingbirds in May.
We'll be very busy during daylight hours 7 days a week.
If you'd like to volunteer, call us at 806 799-2142 and talk
with Gail Barnes, our Director (Many things are on "Hold"
during the pandemic - Call and speak with Gail if you have questions
The Wildlife Center does not take domestic pets (Cats/kittens, dogs/puppies, pet parrots, rabbits, etc.)
This link provides a list of Lubbock Area Animal Rescues that work with domestic pets.
How can SPWRC help you?
Where you located and what are your hours?
(Please see information at the top of this page for information during the Coronavirus Pandemic
SPWRC is on Indiana Avenue at 95th Street behind the 80 ft. wall with a wildlife mural. Our official address is 3308 95th Street Lubbock, TX 79423. The Wildlife Drop-Off building in our driveway is open 24 hours a day.
Volunteers and staff are on site seven days a week during daylight hours only.
Where do I go if I bring you an animal?
(Please see information at the top of this page for information during the Coronavirus Pandemic
There is a white building in the parking lot where all animals check in. Please fill out an admission slip with information about the animal and you (its rescuer) for our records.
During daylight hours, a buzzer will sound and someone will come out to meet you (Summer Staff hours – 8 am to 8 pm).
Weekends and after hours – fill out the admission slip and leave the animal in a box or in one of the cages. Staff checks the building every morning and periodically throughout the day.
Please do NOT try to enter the main property (past the electric gate) or go to the house at the front of the property.
The Animal Drop-Off Building (pictured) is the point of entry for all animals admitted to SPWRC.
What should I do
if I find a:
How can I make a donation of supplies? Take a look at our Wish List of needed supplies.
How can I make a monetary donation?
Donations are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows. South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit facility.
How can I be a volunteer at SPWRC? Forms and Information available HERE
Can I visit SPWRC and see your animals?
The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is not open to the public except during our Open House events.
The animals are recuperating and need rest and quiet.
Our next Open House will be sometime in spring. Details will be posted here and on our Facebook page.
Can I schedule an environmental educational program for a group?
Programs are done for a fee. Funds raised support our operating and general expenses.
SPWRC receives no funding from federal or state agencies. Contact Gail Barnes at 799-2142 for more information.
Additional Links: